Tidal Waves and Tsunamis

News about tidal waves and tsunamis, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 12, 2014

Strong earthquake hits Japan's northern coast near Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which was crippled in 2011 earthquake and tsunami; earthquake sets off minor, eight-inch tsunami and injures at least one person. MORE

Jun. 26, 2013

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says storm may have spurred rare tsunami along East Coast, with highest peak amplitude recorded in Newport, RI, where it reached just under a foot above sea level. MORE

May. 17, 2013

Chilean judge dismisses appeal to suspend involuntary manslaughter charges against four government officials accused of failing to issue tsunami alert after 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Chile in 2010; investigation into deaths of 156 people and disappearance of 25 more seeks to establish responsibility for chain of decisions made by government officials and emergency agencies shortly after earthquake. MORE

Feb. 7, 2013

Powerful magnitude 8 earthquake causes tsunami that sends strong waves crashing into several South Pacific islands, with officials in Solomon Islands saying at least four people died. MORE

Feb. 6, 2013

Residents of South Pacific from island chains to Australia are alerted to possibility of tsunami after 8.0-magnitude earthquake strikes off Solomon Islands; warnings are called off hours later as waves dissipate, but not before sending five-foot waves crashing into Santa Cruz Island damaging at least 50 homes.. MORE

Dec. 8, 2012

Oregon coastal community of Tillamook County decides to dismantle its tsunamis sirens, saying $100,000 needed to upgrade 1960s-dated technology is not worth it; some residents fear new tools of warning, text messages and automated calls, could leave behind older residents and tourists who may not be reached by cellphone during an emergency. MORE

Nov. 20, 2012

Katrina Kremer study in journal Nature Geoscience cites large deposit of sediment in Lake Geneva, Switzerland, as evidence of tsunami caused by rockfall in the year 563. MORE

A packed train in Sri Lanka that was swept off the tracks by waves as big as elephants. A boat patrolling off Thailand's shore hurled more than a mile inland. Streets in Indonesia turned into roaring rivers that carried people to their deaths.